Jaddie & Becky become parents to Max

Comments Off on Birthday Weekend
Written on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at 9:25pm EST, by Jaddie
Categories: Max

It’s been a big birthday weekend for all of us. On Friday evening we rented the outside pool at Collins Hill Aquatic Center for about twenty-four of Max’s friends and more than a handful of their parents to celebrate his eighth birthday with him. I believe everyone had a great time. It’s been extremely hot this summer, but heavy cloud cover gave us some much-needed relief. We gave Max a Pokémon-themed party, though I don’t believe anyone was interested in finding any Pokémon with a huge pool with a host of aquatic attractions all to themselves.

We enjoyed pizza from Costco and a Pokémon cupcake cake.

We partied to the backdrop of a Collins Hill High School football game and the sounds of their marching band rehearsing before the game and during halftime.

His friends were too generous. When we got home Max opened what seemed like a zillion presents and gift cards.

Max said his party was awesome. It was.

Having his big birthday a day before his actual birthday meant he got another party on his actual birthday with Mimi, Grandpa, Granny, Marlie, George, and me. Granny baked a thin-layer chocolate cake for the occasion, which we enjoyed in Mimi and Grandpa’s shop.

We had our party in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday, Max’s actual birthday. In the morning Becky and Max went to a friend’s birthday party in Duluth. He was anxious to get home to open our presents.

We gave our little buddy a scooter, skateboard, a Razor Crazy Cart, a “flatulence” machine (which he’ll be delighted to share with his classmates at his next show-and-tell), a Thomas TrackMaster set with lots of extra pieces, some Nerf stuff, and a Donald Trump bobblehead doll. (He asked for the doll.)

He had wanted a motorcycle and I wanted to buy him one, but we don’t have a place for him to ride it or adequate transportation to get the bike and equipment to and from local tracks. Maybe next year.

The little fellow didn’t get to enjoy his toys very long before it was time for Parents Night Out at Gymnastix Training Center, which he wanted to attend. I figured he’d want to stay home and play, but he wanted to play with his friends.

When Becky and I picked him up at 10:00 pm, he was still excited but he was also tired and said so.

When we went to bed with just two minutes left in the day, he wanted Becky and me to sing “Happy Birthday” to him again. We obliged.

He went to church this morning with Mimi and Grandpa and Mama joined them later for the regular Sunday service. They all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and Max came home with Mimi and Grandpa and played with the kids who live caddy corner to Mimi and Grandpa.

We picked him up after a short while and headed to Granny’s for him to ride his new Crazy Cart and skateboard. He didn’t spend much time there because he wanted to go to the nearby skatepark at Duncan Creek Park. We all had a blast at the park, and Max has a few scrapes and bruises to show for it.

Today was Max’s first day learning how to ride a skateboard and a stunt-style kick scooter, and there were a handful of serious skateboarders at the park, along with another handful of kids who are also new to the sport. Everyone was very nice to Max. He was a little bit scared to get started “dropping off” into the skate bowls, but he eventually mustered the courage and confidence to do it. One teen girl was especially helpful in building his confidence on his skateboard. She held her foot in front of the board’s wheels so Max could get on it without having to balance while it was moving.

We headed home so we could begin preparing for the week ahead.

Just like when we used to blog daily, both Max and Becky are standing immediately behind me and adamantly demanding that I quit writing now and go to bed.

It was a grand weekend. I was sure to write this because I never want to forget it.

Comments Off on Pete’s Dragon
Written on Sunday, August 14, 2016, at 2:50pm EST, by Jaddie
Categories: Max

Becky, Max and I are about to see Pete’s Dragon. Granny is keeping Marlie. Our little buddy is excited about his eighth birthday at the end of this week.

Yesterday, on my birthday, he was in a talkative mood and said he loves his life. He didn’t say that in response to any question or comment made by us. He came up with that all on his own. That was the best birthday present ever.

Comments Off on Grandpa Dodd
Written on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 5:14pm EST, by Jaddie
Categories: Max

I’m posting from my iPhone. We’re at Sugar Hill’s ice skating rink, which is across the street from the cemetery where my daddy is buried. Max was insistent on visiting Daddy’s grave. The poor little fellow got down on his knees where he thought Grandpa’s head was and told him he hopes to see him sometime.

As we left, Max inquired about Santa’s delivering presents in Heaven. I told him I didn’t know, that maybe every day is Christmas up there. Max said he hopes they get presents in Heaven and that he hopes his grandpa gets the most.

Comments Off on Aunt Ann’s 60th Birthday, Scoring in Soccer, Building with LEGOs, Halloween Fun
Written on Sunday, October 26, 2014, at 10:15pm EST, by Becky
Categories: Max
Tags: Southeastern Railway Museum

It’s been a very busy month. Max’s behavior had landed on more green than yellow and red. We’re proud of his behavior in general but we still hope for fewer reds.

At the beginning of October we took a trip to Seacrest, Florida, for my aunt Ann’s sixtieth birthday. We all stayed in a luxury home right on the beach. Max really enjoyed playing with his cousins at the beach, and Ann had a great birthday.

Max has been busy playing soccer. He’s become quite the soccer star. He makes numerous goals per game. His team, the Green Lanterns, counts on him each week. He has two more games this season.

We’ve also been busy building. Max went to Lowe’s this month and built a haunted house. It’s really cute. We keep it on our mantel for decoration. At the beginning of the month we went to a LEGO mini-build. Max made an awesome Frankenstein. It’s on our mantel, too. Also, we participated in another mini-build at Toy"R"Us. It was a Star Wars plane.

Daddy and I got new iPhone 6 Pluses when we returned from the beach. It has been a little bit of an adjustment in getting used to their much larger size.

Halloween has also been in full swing around here. Max is going as a knight this year. His costume is so cool. He has a shield, sword, and hammer.

We went to a fall festival last Sunday and this Sunday. Each event had games and Trunk or Treat. We also went to Trek or Treat in Suwanee on Saturday with our friends Max Mitchell and his mother, Mrs Tanya.

Another fun annual event we attend is Train or Treat at the Southeastern Railway Museum. Max had a blast again this year riding the train, trick-or-treating in the old train cars, riding the hand cart, and decorating a pumpkin.

At school Max had his first Fund Run. He enjoyed running around the track at school with his friends. He also raised $40 for our school’s technology initiative.

Mimi bought Max roller skates and he’s been busy practicing with him. Mimi and Grandpa have been taking him to Mrs Mary’s, where it’s flat. He’s already come a long way.

Max has been learning a lot of sight words. He’s made it through his first whole list. He’s been constantly telling us how to spell words. He’s also been reading to us and using great reading strategies. It’s great to see his progress so far. I had my first conference with his teacher and my friend and colleague, Mrs Banks. She said he’s doing well but sometimes has trouble staying on task. He got his first report card, too. He had all Ss. (S denotes satisfactory.)

He’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight and Daddy and I will see him in the morning.

Comments Off on “Proactive,” Lost 1st Tooth, Busy Having Fun
Written on Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 10:19pm EST, by Becky
Categories: Max

It’s been a very busy two weeks. First, a little from two weeks ago. On Monday and Tuesday of two weeks ago Max had to move his apple’s worm to yellow for talking and being disrespectful. That Monday Max and I went to Chick-fil-A after school, and on Tuesday Daddy took him to soccer practice.

On Wednesday Grandpa picked up Max from school. Mimi and Grandpa got home from their trip late Tuesday and were ready to see Maxipoo. They brought him back a cute Snoopy shirt and a moose hat. They played at Mrs Mary’s, who has a much larger and flatter yard than we have.

When we were getting our bath Max talked about being proactive and how he was going to be proactive and get on green the next day. And he did! When we got home from school on Thursday he and Daddy played Super Mario 3D World.

On Friday of last week Max checked out early from school for Buford High School’s homecoming parade. Mimi and Grandpa took him and he had a blast. They collected a large bag of candy. That afternoon Mimi, Max, Mrs Renae, and her mom dressed up as pirates and went to Krispy Kreme for free doughnuts. After that Max, Daddy, Marlie, and I went to Ivy Creek for Patriots Night. Max had a blast.

On Saturday Max didn’t have a soccer game, so we three went to Olive Garden for lunch. Max spent the rest of the afternoon restless and bored until he left for Parents’ Night Out at Gymnastix.

Last week Max went to church with Mimi and Grandpa and got to see Mrs Banks, his teacher. She told Max that she was returning to school on Monday after a week away to care for her daughter, and he clapped for her. He really missed his awesome teacher while she was away.

Max, Daddy, and I went to Studio Movie Grill to see Dolphin Tale 2 on Sunday afternoon. It was a great movie. Marlie stayed with Granny for the afternoon. When we got back to Granny’s she cut Max’s hair.

Daddy carried Max to school Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this week due to conferences. He also picked him up on Monday and Thursday. Grandpa and Mimi picked him up on Wednesday. Max only moved his apple’s worm once this week, and thankfully it was to yellow instead of red. We were so proud of him and his behavior.

Monday was a big day. Max lost his first tooth! He pulled it himself. Daddy and I got a text from Mrs Banks with a cute picture and it wasn’t long after that when he came to my room to show me. It was so sweet how he was able to walk to my classroom and share this moment with me. When we got home we prepared for the Tooth Fairy’s first visit to our home. We read the book The Night Before the Tooth Fairy and put out our new Tooth Fairy pillow. Max was so excited and it was difficult for him to go to sleep. The Tooth Fairy left fairy dust, a certificate for Max’s lost tooth, a new toothbrush, and ten dollars!

On Tuesday Max had soccer pictures with his team. Pictures took too long and his team didn’t get to practice. On Wednesday Mimi and Grandpa picked up Lil’ Fellow since it was an early-release day. They took him to lunch, and then Mimi took him to a pirate event at the library. He had a blast because he got to wear his pirate suit and hunt for treasure.

On Thursday Daddy picked Max up due to early release. They visited Granny for a couple of hours. On Friday Max, Daddy, Marlie, and I went to the Buford Corn Maze. It was Spirit Night for Ivy Creek Elementary. Max got to ride a pony, play in the inflatable jumpie, enjoy the corn maze and corn box, and even take a hayride. It was a lot fun, but we were all tired when we got home.

On Saturday I took Max to Lowe’s to a Build and Grow. He got to build a cool fire truck. After Lowe’s we went to his soccer game, where he scored three goals. We were so proud, even if the opposing team trounced us. On Saturday night Max went to Parents’ Night Out.

Today Max and I slept until 10:45 am, and it was so nice. We went to Granny’s for breakfast and then came home to do things around the house. Max built LEGOs and watched classic cartoons. Daddy and I washed clothes. This afternoon Max and I went to Costco for pizza. Then we went to Mimi and Grandpa’s to visit and that’s where Max is hanging his hat tonight.

Comments Off on Mimi & Grandpa on Vacation, Jaemor Farms
Written on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at 9:39pm EST, by Becky
Categories: Max
Tags: Jaemor Farms

This week has been really busy. Max had yellow and green days at school, which indicate warnings and good behavior, respectively. Mrs Banks has been gone from school because her daughter Danielle has been sick. He had Mr and Mrs Paff as subs for the week.

Last Monday night Mimi and Grandpa took us out to BiBa’s for dinner because they were headed out of town for the week. One Tuesday night Daddy took Max to his soccer practice. Daddy said the kids had trouble focusing on practice. It could be because practice starts at 6:30 pm or the fact they’re six years old.

On Thursday Daddy and I went to the hospital to visit Danielle, and Max and Marlie stayed with Granny. We didn’t get home until late and were surprised Max was able to get up and going on Friday morning.

On Friday night Max and Daddy hung out while I went to paint with a friend. We had a great time and hope to do it again soon. Saturday Max and I went to Lowe’s for a Build and Grow. We made a cool set of wooden binoculars. Our next stop on Saturday was Max’s soccer game. He was the green team this week. Max scored two goals this week. Saturday night daddy and I watched the UGA football game while Max was at Parents’ Night Out at Gymnastix.

This leads us to today. We started off with breakfast at Granny’s and then Max and I headed to Jaemor Farms for a fun afternoon. The weather felt like fall, so we enjoyed some fall-like activities like a corn maze, hayride, apple cannons, and picking out a pumpkin. We had a great time today. On the way home Max fell fast asleep.

Tonight we’ve been working on sight words. We’ve had trouble with the word that. We did flashcards and sight word bingo, so, fingers crossed, we may have Max’s current set of sight words mastered.

Mimi and Grandpa come home this week from Montana and Canada. We’ve missed them.

Comments Off on Becoming a Soccer Star, Busy, Enjoying Family Time
Written on Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 10:14pm EST, by Becky
Categories: Max

We had a pretty good week. We had soccer practice on Tuesday. Before soccer we went to Lego mini-build at Sugarloaf Mills. We built a cute airplane.

Max loved seeing me at school this week. He’s all excited about the book fair’s coming to Ivy Creek. He got to have his book fair preview on Friday. He was green one day, red one day, and yellow a couple of days. Green indicates good behavior, yellow indicates warnings, and red indicates misbehavior after warnings. We had a short week due to Labor Day.

On Saturday Max had his first soccer game of the season. He was a big star at his soccer game, scoring about five goals! After his soccer game he wanted to go to Granny’s. He said he wanted to go to Granny’s “not just to get Marlie.” He and Granny watched a mummy movie. Lil’ Fellow jumped in her lap when the movie showed snakes. When he saw commercial interruptions in the movie he was watching, he asked Granny why those people interrupted his movie. He’s accustomed to watching movies and videos without commercial interruption.

Saturday night Max went to Parents’ Night Out at Gymnastix. This morning he went to church with Mimi and Grandpa, and this afternoon he went to a birthday party for Nina, Miss Dale’s niece. He also went to the church picnic this afternoon. Before going to Mimi and Grandpa’s for the night he came home to build a Thomas & Friends TrackMaster track that covers all four quadrants of the main floor of our house.

Comments Off on Good Week Last Week, Playing at Home, Spending Night with Mimi & Grandpa
Written on Monday, September 1, 2014, at 10:29pm EST, by Jaddie
Categories: Max

Max had a pretty good week last week. He landed on a yellow apple on Monday and on green apples Tuesday through Friday. A green apple indicates good or excellent behavior, a yellow apple indicates warnings, and a red apple indicates misbehavior after warnings. He had his first soccer practice of the new season last Tuesday.

This was Labor Day weekend, which means Mama and Max didn’t have to go to school today. Max stayed at home all day until Grandpa picked him up this evening. The little fellow begged Mama and me to play with him many times yesterday and today. His favorite activity is playing with his Thomas & Friends trains on the floor. We’ve ordered more track and if everything works out, we should be able to make a huge circle on the main floor of our house that goes into every room.

Yesterday Mama took Max to Toys"R"Us to spend some of his gift cards he received for his birthday. She said he was a good shopper. He complained about a Thomas & Friends toy’s using too much of his gift cards. He didn’t spend all he has, though, so he still has some for another day.

Today he asked if he could say “the F word.” I asked him what the F word was and he couldn’t tell me. Mama and I are a little disappointed by his hearing stuff like this at his age.

He said something funny yesterday regarding the new underwear Granny gave him for his birthday. They’re larger than what he’s used to and he said, “they don’t fit my balls just right.” What a funny thing to say.

He’s still preoccupied with potty words. When he’s trying to be funny he fits in at least one potty word in every sentence. Poop and toot are his favorites. He threatens to do one or the other on Mama and/or me every day.

We had some tickle time today and some sword fighting, and he enjoyed both. He enjoyed playing with the remote-controlled car his friend Joshua gave him for his birthday. It runs forward and backward and will do cool spinouts. It has a fifth wheel so it can also run in a vertical position.

He got to see his sweetheart Annabelle today when she and her mother dropped by to pick up something they left behind at Max’s birthday party. Max would’ve loved to have entertained Annabelle all afternoon, but she and her mother had stuff to do and couldn’t stay.

He’s as hyper as ever, but he’s mostly sweet. The boy loves his mama and daddy, and we certainly love him. He’s been asking me if I’m his friend, and I assure him I’ll always be his friend, but I have to be his daddy first. He seems genuinely impressed by my telling him that I’ll always love him regardless of what he does.

He’s spending the night with Mimi and Grandpa tonight and I’m looking forward to giving him a big bear hug in the morning.